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| Northwest Health | SPRING 2009 |
| By Gretchen Konrady |
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Beyond the care provided by your doctors and nurses, Group Health offers health plan members a wide range of services to support your health and wellness needs. Here's a handy guide to keep for quick reference.
BACK TO: Northwest Health index
Free & Clear® Quit For Life®
What it offers: The tools you need to quit smoking, including phone-based quit coaches and screening for medications to support you in quitting. Medications are provided if you have pharmacy coverage.
How to access: For information, visit the Free & Clear for Group Health members Web site or call toll-free at 1-800-462-5327 if you are a Group Health member.
GlobalFit™
What it offers: This discount program for all members and their dependents offers a network of health clubs to choose from, as well as exercise videos and equipment you can use at home. Most gyms in the network waive the initiation fee and some discount the monthly fee.
How to access: To find a gym near you, visit the Global Fit for Group Health members Web site or call toll-free at 1-800-294-1500.
EnhanceFitness®
What it offers: Community program that provides a group exercise class designed for seniors, featuring specially trained instructors. Classes are held at selected Puget Sound area senior and community centers. Clear Care® (Group Health's Medicare Advantage plans) members may take the classes for free.
How to access: For a list of locations, visit the Enhance Fitness class page or contact Resource Line.
SilverSneakers®
What it offers: Gym-based exercise classes for seniors. Includes other fitness facility amenities. Clear Care members get a basic membership at participating fitness facilities in most Group Health service areas.
How to access: For a list of locations, visit the SilverSneakers class page or contact Resource Line.
Member comment: "I enjoy going to class because it gives me a chance to exercise and socialize at the same time."
Weight Management
What they offer: Information, support, and skills to help you manage your weight and develop positive, lasting lifestyle behaviors. Group Health offers member discounts for Accomplish™ Weight Management Program, WeightWatchers®, and NutriSystem® weight loss program.
How to access: See Weight Management Programs.
Member comment: "The discount created an incentive for me to continue in the program, not to mention the great feeling I had when I lost weight."
Immunization & Screening Reminders
What they offer: The Adult Well-Care Visits and Immunizations Schedule and Well-Child Visits and Immunizations Schedule outline which immunizations, screenings, and tests are recommended according to your age.
As screenings and immunizations become due, Group Health mails reminder letters to most members, and sends electronic reminders for immunizations, tests, or checkups if you're registered for MyGroupHealth for Members. Group Health also operates seasonal flu clinics at all of its medical centers.
How to access: Your personal physician or medical center provides immunizations and screenings. To see the recommendations, log into your MyGroupHealth for Members account and see Preventive Care at Group Health under
Healthy Living.
Or ask Resource Line to send you a schedule. During flu season (October through March), check our Web site for information on receiving a flu shot.
Health Profile & Lifestyle Coaching
What it offers: An online questionnaire that asks about your medical history, family health history, and lifestyle routines. Provides a risk assessment you can discuss with your doctor.
If a response in your Health Profile triggers coaching and you've provided a telephone number, a coach will call you about making improvements in eating habits, physical activity, stress management, and more. Coaches include nurses and dietitians trained in helping people with behavior change.
How to access: You need our enhanced services to use the Health Profile. To obtain enhanced services, log into MyGroupHealth for Members and upgrade your account.
Member comment: "I took the Health Profile when I was worried about my risk of diabetes. Within minutes I had a personalized report on my health. I found out I was at even higher risk of heart disease than diabetes."
Complementary Choices
What it offers: A supplement to coverage for alternative and complementary care. It provides a 20 percent discount on services from network acupuncturists, naturopaths,chiropractors, massage therapists, personal trainers, and tai chi, yoga, and Pilates instructors. Referrals are not required. Visits are unlimited.
How to access: See Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
MyGroupHealth
What it offers: On My Group Health for Members, all health plan members can access provider information and extensive health information, and view coverage documents and explanation of benefits. If you get primary care at a Group Health medical center, you can also receive access to exchange secure e-mails with your doctor, refill prescriptions, get lab results, and participate in topical discussion groups.
How to access: Log in to MyGroupHealth for Members, and upgrade your account if necessary.
Member comment: "I get all my health information from the Healthwise® Knowledgebase at www.ghc.org."
Consulting Nurse Service
What it offers: Telephone-based nursing advice 24/7. Nurses can help you decide whether you need home care, a visit with your physician, or urgent or emergency care. If you receive care at a Group Health medical center and have registered for MyGroupHealth for Members, you can securely e-mail a non-urgent question to a consulting nurse and receive a response within 24 hours.
How to access: After office hours or on weekends, contact the Consulting Nurse Service. During office hours, call your personal physician's office for advice.
Classes, Workshops & Support Groups
What is offered: A variety of free health-related classes, workshops, and support groups are sponsored or provided by Group Health. There are classes associated with various services and conditions. Your personal physician may also know about condition-specific classes and patient groups in your area.
How to access: Visit Classes & Events for upcoming events in your area, or contact Resource Line.
Member comment: "The sleep apnea support group I attended was very helpful. It was so encouraging to hear about other people's experiences."
Resource Line
What it offers: Pamphlets and information on a variety of health topics, as well as assistance in locating nearby Group Health and community resources and classes. Offers special support for seniors and caregivers, including forms for advance directives and other documents. If you're not sure what you're looking for, the Resource Line can help you think through what you might need.
How to access: Visit the Resource Line Web page.
Social Work Services
What it offers: Social workers help members and families plan for short- and long-term care; navigate their health care system; cope with new diagnoses, chronic illnesses, and changing life circumstances; and locate community resources. They also provide grief-and-loss counseling.
How to access: If you receive your primary care at a Group Health-operated facility, contact your medical center. If you receive care from a community clinician, ask your doctor's office for a referral to a social worker, or contact Customer Service.
Travel Advisory Services
What it offers: Phone consultation about the health considerations of your travel destination, such as needed vaccinations, and medicines to take with you.
How to access: See Travel Advisory Service.
Complex Case Management
What it offers: Program under Care Management offering intensive nursing care through monitoring and managing the care of patients who have three or more chronic illnesses and several care providers, and who are on multiple prescription medications. Group Health offers case management services to members who experience a critical event or diagnosis requiring timely coordination.
How to access: You may self-refer by calling toll-free at 1-866-656-4183, or a clinician may give you a referral. See also Home and Long-Term Care.
Member comment: "When my mother broke her hip and needed a long-term care facility, the nurses worked long hours, calling numerous facilities. They gave me suggestions and tips when I was stressed out and overwhelmed."
Health Coaching for Chronic Conditions
What it offers: Phone-based health coaches who are registered nurses provide ongoing clinical advice and support for members with chronic conditions.
How to access: Log in to MyGroupHealth for Members, upgrade your account if necessary, and complete your Health Profile. If your responses indicate a chronic condition and you've provided your telephone number, a health coach will contact you.
Living Well with Chronic Conditions Workshops
What it offers: Six-week workshop series to help people learn how to manage their chronic conditions and improve their quality of life. Participants have illnesses such as arthritis, stroke, heart disease, chronic pain, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and respiratory problems. Specially trained volunteers, at least one of whom has a chronic condition, lead the in- person workshops.
How to access: Visit the Chronic Conditions class page or contact Resource Line.
Member comment: "The workshop helped me learn how to manage my lung disease. I got so much out of it that I became a volunteer leader."
Living Well with Chronic Conditions Online
What it offers: Web-based chronic disease self-management program for members using the same six-week structure as the Living Well with Chronic Conditions in-person workshops. Participants in this six-week program interact online through discussion boards and chats.
How to access: Coming soon — watch Classes & Events for information.
Home Health
What it offers: Skilled nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work assistance, and personal care for homebound patients. Home care is provided for a variety of illnesses and conditions and can include treatment of — and education about — wound care, medication management, special diets, and safe mobility.
Palliative Care
What it offers: For patients with advanced, progressive illnesses such as cancer and heart or lung disease who want skilled services at home, rather than in a hospital. Care plans are developed that focus on the patient's well-being, symptom control, and pain management.
Hospice
What it offers: Hospice services typically begin after a physician's determination that the patient has six months or less to live. Patients who are in advanced stages of incurable illness receive physical, emotional, and spiritual care, and families receive assistance in coping with the far-reaching aspects of the illness. The goal of Hospice is to help patients live with as much physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort as possible until the end of their lives. This program is Medicare-certified.
How to access: For more information, talk to your personal physician, see Home & Long-Term Care, or contact Customer Service. Palliative care is a special service only available in areas served by our Home Health & Hospice program.
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